Afghanistan crisis: Taliban promises 'no revenge' | WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
All is not well within Afghanistan. Taliban have taken over the war-torn country. Vice-president Amrullah Saleh has declared himself as the "care-taker" president of the nation.
All is not well within Afghanistan. Taliban have taken over the war-torn country. Vice-president Amrullah Saleh has declared himself as the "care-taker" president of the nation. Thousands are fleeing fearing that the country could descend into chaos or the Taliban could carry out revenge attacks against those who worked with Americans or the government. Many worry that the Taliban will reimpose the harsh interpretation of Islamic law that they relied on when they ran Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The desperation to leave the country was apparent in chaotic scenes that emerged on Monday when people clung to the side of a military jet as it took off and then plunged to their deaths. At least seven people died. Even as people lose lives, Pakistan celebrates unabashedly, with Prime Minister Imran Khan endorsing the heavily armed Taliban taking over Kabul by saying that Afghanistan has broken the "shackles of slavery." Meanwhile, India is leaving no stone unturned to bring back its stranded citizens from the neighbouring country. India has brought back over 190 people including the Indian ambassador and its staff members from its embassy in Kabul in two C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force. While the first aircraft evacuated around 40 staffers on Monday, the second one brought back around 150 staffers including the Indian ambassador on Tuesday.
Afghanistan crisis: What we know so far
11:20 PM: We have proven in other places that we can suppress terrorism without a permanent military presence on the ground and we intend to do exactly that in Afghanistan: US NSA Jake Sullivan
10:10 PM: We would like to assure our neighbours & regional countries that we'll not allow our territory to be used against any country in the world. Global community should rest assured that we're committed that you will not be harmed anyway from our soil: Taliban spox Zabihullah Mujahid
9:33 PM: Due to the dynamic situation, we've begun routing affected flights around Afghanistan airspace. We'll continue to work closely with FAA & IATA to determine how we continue service to markets impacted. The routings for our India flights are the only ones impacted, says United Airlines
8:59 PM: "We want to establish a government that includes all sides," Mujahid says, adding that they want an end to the war.
8:47 PM: The situation in Kabul city will soon be back to normal, Mujahid says.
8:44 PM: Mujahid says they have pardoned everyone and will not take revenge against anyone, including former military members and those who worked with the foreign forces. "No one will search their house"
8:41 PM: Mujahid says they want all media outlets to continue their activities. They have three suggestions: No broadcast should contradict Islamic values, they should be impartial, no one should broadcast anything that goes against our national interests.
8:37 PM: Mujahid says there will be an improvement in the country's economy and in the people's livelihoods.
8:33 PM: Mujahid says that on the first day of their arrival at the outskirts of Kabul they stopped their forces from entering the city, but some people misused the situation and attempted to loot the people. He says now people can feel sure they will be safe.
Mujahid says that Afghans have the right to apply rules that match the people's values; therefore, other countries should respect these rules.
Mujahid says that the Islamic emirate is pledging to all world countries that no threat will be posed to any country from Afghanistan.
Mujahid says that the security of foreign embassies is important to them and they pledge that the embassies will be completely safe.
8:32 PM: Mujahid says that Kabul security is improving day by day as their forces have been stationed in various places.
8:31 PM: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they had no enmity with anyone and that all had been pardoned by the Islamic Emirate on the orders of their leader.
8:30 PM: Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says that the security of foreign embassies is important to them and they pledge that the embassies will be completely safe.
8:29 PM: Taliban deputy leader and co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar returns to Afghanistan: AFP quoting Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid
8:24 PM: White House official says US has evacuated over 700 people
"Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan is open, and flights are able to land and depart, including on the civilian side. As of this morning, there are 3,500 troops on the ground at the airport. Today, US military flights are taking off from Hamid Karzai International Airport with American citizens and US Embassy personnel on board. Yesterday, we evacuated more than 700 people, including 150 American citizens"
7:52 PM: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid is expected to brief reporters at a press conference in the next few minutes.
7:50 PM: Amrullah Saleh declares himself as "caretaker" President of Afghanistan
7:12 PM: People evacuated from Afghanistan's Kabul in C-17 Globemaster & landed at Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad on an IAF aircraft, chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'
7:02 PM: NATO chief blames failure of Afghan leadership for nation's military collapse, says allies must learn lessons from that.
6:51 PM: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar tweets
"The movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from Kabul to India was a difficult and complicated exercise. Thank all those whose cooperation and facilitation made it possible", tweets External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S Jaishankar
"Discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan with Foreign Minister @JY_LeDrian. We will continue to coordinate in the UN Security Council. Thank him for evacuating 21 Indian nationals from Kabul to Paris."
6:37 PM: High level meeting underway at PMO
A high-level meeting is underway at the PMO. Besides PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval are present.
6:31 PM: PM Modi took stock of Afghanistan situation till late last night
PM Modi has been constantly in touch with officials regarding the Afghanistan situation. He was taking stock of situation till late night yesterday and was updated when the flight took off. He instructed that adequate arrangements be made to ensure providing food for all those who returned at Jamnagar - Sources
6:23 PM: Pakistan spy agency ISI will try and influence the Taliban. However, it will have very limited effect as Taliban has acquired power in a position of strength. ISI can only influence weak Taliban but it looks unlikely in the present situation: Sources
6:23 PM: Government committed to safe return of all Indians, will operate flights when Kabul airport resumes operations, says MEA
6:16 PM: There will be increased security vigil in Kashmir but things are in control and Pakistan based groups in Afghanistan have little capacity to use the situation. Taliban has clarified its position on Kashmir. It regards it as a bilateral, internal issue; their focus is unlikely on Kashmir: Sources
6:04 PM: India to wait and watch that how inclusive will be the government formation and how will the Taliban conduct. India will also watch how other democracies react to the Taliban regime: Sources
5:57 PM: For evacuations, India parked its C-17 at Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan as there was a huge rush at Kabul airport in Afghanistan. So Indian aircraft were on standby at Ayni Air Base and they flew to Kabul when cleared by the US which is controlling Kabul Airport. India is also exploring options to hire charter planes to evacuate more Indians from Afghanistan: Sources
5:09 PM: Germany halts development aid for Afghanistan, reports news agency AFP
5:00 PM: IAF's C-17 aircraft with 120 people from Kabul lands at Hindon airbase near Delhi
An Indian Air Force plane with 120 people, including the Indian ambassador and staff at the embassy in Kabul, landed on Tuesday at Hindon airbase near Delhi.
The C-17 aircraft touched down at the IAF airbase in Jamnagar at 11.15 am. It took off for Hindon shortly after 3 pm after refuelling.
4:38 PM: US reaches out to Pakistan, India, China and Russia on Afghanistan situation
The US has reached out to Pakistan and half a dozen other countries it believes can influence the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban appear to be consolidating their hold after capturing Kabul, Dawn reports.
4:31 PM: Taliban issues decree not to enter people’s house, Aljazeera reports
According to Aljazeera, the head of the Taliban’s Military Commission, Mullah Yaqoob, has issued a voice statement declaring that no one is allowed to enter anyone’s house, especially in the city of Kabul.
4:10 PM: Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs writes to MEA for evacuation of 41 Malayalees stranded in #Afghanistan
"Some of the messages received here stated that Taliban are verifying the identity of the stranded Indians & are taking away their passports," the letter reads.
4:00 PM: Twitter says it will enforce rules that violate policies against glorification of violence
The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly evolving. We're also witnessing people in the country using Twitter to seek help and assistance. Twitter’s top priority is keeping people safe, and we remain vigilant. We will continue to proactively enforce our rules and review content that may violate Twitter Rules, specifically policies against the glorification of violence, platform manipulation and spam: Twitter spokesperson
3:30 PM: Situation in Kabul under Taliban 'better' than it was under Ghani govt: Russian envoy
Russia has said that the situation in Kabul under the Taliban is "better" than it was under the Ashraf Ghani-led Afghanistan government, according to a media report, signalling Moscow's apparent endorsement of the insurgent group and an attempt to establish ties with the outfit, still officially designated a terrorist organisation in the country. "I judge by the first day of their control over Kabul. The impressions are good. The situation in Kabul is better now (under Taliban) than it was under Ashraf Ghani," Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov was quoted as saying by Moscow's Ekho Moskvy radio station on Monday.
3 PM: China asks US to lower frictions, ban ETIM for cooperation to stabilise Afghanistan
China on Tuesday asked the US to tone down frictions, re-impose the ban on Xinjiang's Uygur militant group -- the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) -- for cooperation to stabilise Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in Kabul. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday during which the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan after the sudden takeover by the Taliban.
2:45 PM: UK to boost aid to Afghanistan by around 10%
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the government plans to increase humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, probably by 10%. Raab said the aid budget will be reconfigured for development and humanitarian purposes in Afghanistan and that the Taliban will not get any of the money previously earmarked for security. "I don't think we will condition the humanitarian relief we provide to ordinary Afghans on what the Taliban does," he said.
2:20 PM: Respond to Afghan developments in 'humane manner': HD Deve Gowda
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday said India will have to respond to the developments in Afghanistan in a "humane manner", besides developing an independent policy of fostering friendship and peace in our neighbourhood. "Reports from Afghanistan show how fear and uncertainty have gripped the country. It is a difficult moment for India and the entire region. We have to respond in a humane manner besides developing an independent policy of fostering friendship and peace in our neighbourhood," Gowda tweeted.
2 PM: Facebook bans Taliban supporting content
Social media giant Facebook has said that it has banned the Taliban and all content supporting it from its platforms as it considers the group to be a terrorist organisation. The company says it has a dedicated team of Afghan experts to monitor and remove content linked to the insurgent group. For years, the Taliban has used social media to spread its messages. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
1:30 PM: Vijayan seeks urgent steps to repatriate Keralites stranded in Kabul
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday requested the Centre to take urgent steps to repatriate Malayalis stranded in Kabul in view of the Taliban capturing power in Afghanistan. As directed by the CM, the NORKA Roots, the state-run welfare agency of non-resident Keralites, submitted a letter to the External Affairs Ministry in this regard, government sources here said. As many as 36 people, who got stranded in Kabul, have so far contacted NORKA seeking help, they said. Harikrishnan Namboothiri K, the CEO of the agency, contacted the Malayalis, among the stranded, the other day, they said adding that steps were on to trace whether more Keralites were trapped in the Afghanistan capital. The NORKA has already passed the information they received to the External Affairs Ministry, sources added.
1:10 PM: US Secretary of State Blinken, Jaishankar discuss Afghan situation
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to him over phone and discussed the situation in the war-ravaged country after the Taliban recaptured the Afghan capital of Kabul. India on Monday said it will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of its nationals and facilitate repatriation of Sikhs and Hindus who wish to leave Afghanistan as the Taliban takeover triggered fear and uncertainty and forced suspension of commercial flights after the Kabul airport authorities declared the Afghan airspace as "uncontrolled". Jaishankar, who arrived in New York on Monday to chair two high-level signature events this week under India's current Security Council Presidency, and Blinken discussed the situation in Afghanistan, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in Washington. Soon afterwards, Jaishankar tweeted, "Discussed latest developments in Afghanistan with @SecBlinken. Underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul. Deeply appreciate the American efforts underway in this regard."
1 PM: Afghanistan Crisis: Taliban official on Afghan state TV says militants 'don't want women to be victims;' urges them to be in government.
12:45 PM: India announces emergency e-visa for Afghans
India on Tuesday announced that it will issue an emergency e-visa to Afghan nationals who want to come to the country in view of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured power there. All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the 'e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' online and the applications will be processed in New Delhi. The announcement came two days after the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan. "The MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called 'e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India," a home ministry spokesperson said.
12:15 PM: Taliban fighters asked not to enter anyone's home
In a voice message, Maulvi Yaqub, the head of the Taliban's military commission, ordered the Taliban not to enter anyone's home anywhere, especially in Kabul. Maulvi Yaqub said no one was allowed to buy a car from anyone and the Bethlehem vehicles would be collected later.
11:55 AM: Taliban urges women to join government
The Taliban announced on Tuesday an amnesty across Afghanistan and urged women to join its government, trying to calm nerves across a nervous capital city that only the day before saw chaos at its airport as people tried to flee their rule. "The Islamic Emirate doesn't want women to be victimsö Samangani said, using the militants' term for Afghanistan. They should be in government structure according to Shariah law," Enamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban's cultural commission, said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
11:45 AM: India announces emergency e-visa for Afghans
India on Tuesday announced that it will issue an emergency e-visa to Afghan nationals who want to come to the country in view of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured power there. All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the 'e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' online and the applications will be processed in New Delhi. The announcement came two days after the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan. "The MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called 'e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India," a home ministry spokesperson said. Officials said since Indian missions in Afghanistan are shut, the visa can be applied online and applications will be examined and processed in New Delhi. The visa will initially be valid for six months, they said. Security issues will be looked into while processing the applications and granting the visa to Afghan nationals, the officials said. All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the travel document.
11:30 AM: Taliban announces 'general amnesty'
The Taliban on Tuesday declared a general amnesty for all government officials and urged them to return to work. "A general amnesty has been declared for all... so you should start your routine life with full confidence," said a statement from the Taliban.
11 AM: Afghanistan Crisis: IAF C17 aircraft carrying India envoy, diplomatic staff from Kabul lands at Jamnagar airport. The aircraft will leave for Delhi shortly.
10:35 AM: Pakistan calls for 'inclusive' political settlement in Afghanistan
Pakistan has emphasised the importance of an "inclusive" political settlement in Afghanistan as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and discussed the chaotic and rapidly changing situation in the war-ravaged country after the Taliban recaptured the Afghan capital of Kabul.
10:20 AM: Pakistan calls for 'inclusive' political settlement in Afghanistan
Pakistan has emphasised the importance of an "inclusive" political settlement in Afghanistan as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and discussed the chaotic and rapidly changing situation in the war-ravaged country after the Taliban recaptured the Afghan capital of Kabul. Blinken's talks with Qureshi was part of the several outreaches made by him to many of his counterparts across the world, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday.
10 AM: Ajit Doval speaks to US counterpart
NSA Ajit Doval spoke with USA counterpart Jake Sullivan about the current situation in Afghanistan. The main issue of discussion was evacuating citizens. The US had taken over the airport and Indians also had to leave.
9:55 AM: Blinken discusses Afghanistan situation with Jaishankar, Qureshi
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed the Afghanistan situation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar as he made a round of calls to foreign ministers with direct interests in the country overrun by the Taliban. Jaishankar tweeted after the call on Monday that while discussing the latest developments in Afghanistan he "underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul. Deeply appreciate the American efforts underway in this regard". The airport is under US control after President Joe Biden rushed thousands of Army and Marine troops there last week.
9:45 AM: Taliban leader reported in Kabul for talks
Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council, and former President Hamid Karzai. That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill. The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an inclusive Afghan government.
9:30 AM: MHA announces new visa category for Afghans coming to India
The Home Ministry has announced a new category of electronic visa to fast-track applications from Afghans who wish to leave the Taliban-controlled country. The new visa category is called e-Emergency X-Misc Visa. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
9:25 AM: Afghanistan Crisis: In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately: MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi
9:10 AM: IAF's C-17 aircraft takes off from Kabul
Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft has taken off from Kabul with more than 120 Indian officials in it. The staff was brought inside the secure areas of the airport safely, late last evening: Sources. The aircraft will first land at Jamnagar and then it will come to Delhi
9 AM: Who are the Taliban and what's happening in Afghanistan? Explained
This is not the first time Afghanistan is terrorized by the Taliban. Several pieces of literature are proof that Afghans continue to tell the story of the aftermath caused by the Taliban back in 1996, when they captured the Afghan capital, Kabul, overthrowing the regime of President Burhanuddin Rabbani. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
8:50 AM: India should have had dialogue with Taliban: Asaduddin Owaisi
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said that India should have had a dialogue with Taliban but the Modi government wasted seven years and failed to read what was happening in Afghanistan. "India should have had a dialogue. We should have opened some sort of informal or formal talks with Taliban. We lost time. For last seven years Modi government failed to read what was happening," he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
8:45 AM: IAF C-17 aircraft takes off from Kabul
Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft has taken off from Kabul with more than 120 Indian officials in it. The staff was brought inside the secure areas of the airport safely, late last evening: Sources
8:25 AM: Ashraf Ghani in Oman to escape to the US
The exact location of fugitive Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is unknown, but he is said to have travelled to Oman to escape to the US, Mehr News reported. It was initially reported that Ghani along with national security advisor Hamdullah Muhib and head of the administrative office of the President, Fazel Mahmood Fazli, left Afghanistan for Tajikistan, but Dushanbe denied that. It was then said that he had traveled to Uzbekistan. Ghani has been accused of treason by Afghans and presently, no official information is available about his location.
8:20 AM: Bangladesh will accept Taliban govt
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said his country will accept the government in Afghanistan formed by Taliban if "it's a government of the people". "No matter which new government is formed, if a Taliban government is formed, which has been done, our door will be open to them if it is a government of the people," Momen said on Monday. "We believe in the democratic government of the people," the foreign minister said, adding that Bangladesh has friendly relations with all the governments and was ready to support them.
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